puzzazz

People who solve selected puzzles in the newly revamped Puzzazz app for iPad and iPhone will get a little visual reward: Lines appearing to float over the puzzle, using the parallax effect to highlight a specific pattern in the solution.

Puzzazz floating lines effect smallIt’s an extreme example of how Apple’s iOS 7 design philosophy is starting to spread through the ecosystem of third-party apps. Puzzazz, a puzzle technology startup based in Redmond, overhauled its Puzzazz bookstore to closely match the look and functionality of iOS 7 (while still working on older versions of iOS.)

“Very few apps which have been redesigned for iOS 7 have gone ‘all in’ like we have,” says Puzzazz CEO Roy Leban.

Parallax is a signature feature of Apple’s iOS 7 wallpaper, making app icons appear to float and move over the backdrop when the device is turned in the hand.

For version 3.0 of its app, Puzzazz did experiment with different uses of parallax elsewhere in the experience, but ultimately settled on using it as an overlay on solutions to selected puzzles (as simulated in the GIF embedded here). Leban says the subtle effect should enhance the endorphin rush that people already get from solving a puzzle.

The new version of the Puzzazz app also continues previously introduced features, including the ability for New York Times crossword subscribers to solve those puzzles at no extra charge using the app. It also features the startup’s handwriting recognition technology, called TouchWrite, for entering characters by tracing them across the screen.

The free Puzzazz app is available for download here.

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